Somali pirates free Greek-owned bulk carrier

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MOGADISHU, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Somali pirates have released the Liberian-flagged MV ELENI P, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, the European Union naval force said on Saturday.

The bulk carrier, which has a deadweight of 72,119 tonnes, was seized on May 12, about 250 nautical miles off the Omani coast. The MV ELENI P has a crew of 23, of which 19 are Filipinos, two are Greek, one Ukrainian and one Romanian.

Maritime sources said negotiations for a ransom had been taking place, but it was unknown whether a ransom was paid.

Somali pirates are making tens of millions of dollars in ransoms from seizing ships, including tankers and dry bulkers, in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, despite the efforts of foreign navies to clamp down on such attacks. (Writing by James Macharia)